#sham festivals

[sohannabarberaesque]

I'd be hard pressed to imagine the Sgt. Ernie Bilko-inspired characters of the Hanna-Barbera Pantheon (viz., Top Cat and Hokey Wolf) going the route of a sham "festival" promoter "just in it for the money" more than anything. Or, for that matter, Dick Dastardly.

(In any case, this does serve a public service component in a way.)

[standupcomedyhistorian]

Um…so this happened 👀

Still can’t believe it tbh…

Daniel Sloss was an absolute GEM and took photos with everyone who stayed after his amazing performance of Can't at Town Hall that opened the New York Comedy Festival this year. SO much fun, and he signed my copy of his book! 🥰

My trip was incredible, the Inside cabaret show at 54 Below was a BLAST (I had on disco ball jewelry courtesy of @ilickedthegardenwall), and @nicoleanell couldn't have been a more gracious host.

We even went to the Brooklyn Cat Cafe (and I got a beautiful turquoise shirt)! 💗

Lots to come on my website, especially about meeting Sloss in person, and keep it here for more comedy fun! ✌🏼🐔

[blueeyeddarkknight]

Happy " Eid Al fitr" (Muslims celebrate breakfast after fasting the holy month of Ramadan) and "Sham al Naseem festival" ( an ancient Egyptian celebration of harvest ).

Kahk (coptic word) is round to represent the round desk of the sun ☀ the symbol of the ancient Egyptian god "Raa"

The eid cookies (kahk) is the oldest cookie in the world (British museum)

(we still make them today! The filled ones (kahk) in Eid. And the hollow ones (bracelet cookies) in funerals

Our ancestors bringing kahk as symbolic sacrifice to Raa

Speaking of Easter.. Did you know that Sham al Naseem is the og Easter?

But in Egypt we postpone it so that Christians can eat fish (after fasting themselves) 🥰

I can talk about our traditions and civilization all day long but nothing is compared to experiencing Egypt yourself. So don't be a stranger to the mother of the world 🥰❤️🇪🇬

[aestariiwilderness]

Not to mention that Israel doesn't maintain "ethno-supremacy" or whatever term is being made up today. :D There are more than 2 million Arab-Israelis living in Israel -- the largest ethnic minority of the tiny nation, composing 21.1% of the population of Israel and growing all the time (as was Gaza's population, by the way). If Israel had meant to be "apartheid", or to conduct "ethnic cleansings" by dint of having a wall up (after lots of rockets and attacks were fired and carried out from, um, the other side of that wall)...you'd think they'd do a better job of it. Hard to say you're being genocided when your population is growing. That's not to say that there isn't actual ethnic cleansing going on! For example, there are many surrounding Arab "ethno-states" with specific actual "ethno-supremacy" policies (largely aimed at Jews, but also at Druze, etc.) that continue blithely unchallenged by so-called human rights champions. I believe one such country has one (1) actual confirmed Jew living in it. One. Down from a much larger number.

Don't believe me? Don't believe the sources below? Go to Israel. Look at how their population lives. Ask the Arab LGBTQ community about how they regularly escaped to Israel so they didn't get persecuted or outright murdered at home. Ask the Arab-Israelis how they feel about Israel. Ask the Druze in Golan Heights -- regularly preyed on by Hamas and Arab "ethno-states" -- how they feel about Hezbollah/Hamas after they publicly rejoiced when their rocket hit a soccer field and blew up the Druze's children as they played a game. If you're not sure you understand something, or if you haven't done any of the research on it yourself, I would recommend not making any claims about an issue until you have done your due diligence on it and you can "show your work". SOURCES

Do Arab-Israelis Stand with Israel? | Ami on the Loose  

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-arab-minority-feels-closer-country-war-poll-finds-2023-11-10/

https://www.tumblr.com/humusboii2thereturnoftheking/745396320236371968?source=share (Actual Concentration Camps/Open Air Prisons vs. Gaza) 

https://www.tumblr.com/ceatadeiarna/755826788596334592/israel-literally-is-an-ethnostate-though-they?source=share https://www.tumblr.com/abirbable/753656790793715712?source=share (Israel still no apartheid, sources) https://www.enjc.org/images/Documents/EdinburghProfessor.pdf (Dennis McEoin Letter) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkvaxLaIsG0 ("Sophia Khalifa: My Life in Israel as an Arab-Muslim") https://www.wsj.com/articles/theres-apartheid-in-the-holy-land-but-not-in-israel-amnesty-international-palestine-racial-discrimination-disfavored-group-11644338888 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4343950

https://www.tumblr.com/sillyapricotbasketballlight/756696957713629184?source=share

https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/state-of-palestine-population/ (source for above) 

Gaza Strip - Statistics & Facts | Statista (highly suspect, also PCBS which is out and out rewriting history): State of Palestine Demographics 2023 (Population, Age, Sex, Trends) - Worldometer (*NOTE: "Palestine" has never existed as an actual country -- look for its anthem, founding date, etc. It was actually, up until 1948 or so, used as a blanket term for Jews/that general region themselves/itself. Arabs disdained being called "Palestinian" -- which to them meant "Jews". Until Israel was established and the Jews were able again to identify with their ancestral homeland, this was the case.)

https://www.tumblr.com/the-garbanzo-annex-jr/754649195420516352?source=share (Long 

thread, has sources, original source - https://x.com/adesnik/status/1806714147737829774)

https://www.tumblr.com/girlactionfigure/756170583452106752?source=share (COGAT Online graphic, aid going into Gaza)

https://www.tumblr.com/ceatadeiarna/758159793398628352?source=share Israel still not colonizing 

 https://x.com/HilzFuld/status/1820685732643578047

https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/186/186-20240719-adv-01-02-en.pdf (original dissenting opinion, complete with sources and index)

Keep Digging: How Archaeology Debunks the Israel ‘Colonizers’ Libel | HonestReporting

**https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-information/rir/Pages/index.aspx?doc=457658 https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2024-05-16/ty-article-opinion/.premium/to-my-black-and-queer-friends-in-america-justifying-hamas-see-me-too/0000018f-810f-d430-a38f-c5ef07000000 'You don't know Hamas': What gay Israelis think about anti-Israel protests

https://www.tumblr.com/a-very-tired-jew/753639563482841088/another-colleague-conversation?source=share (Al Jazeera/Hamas media conspiracy with sources) The Hamas Network in America: A Short History

https://www.tumblr.com/girlactionfigure/754435277275217920?source=share  (All the lies they've been repeating) https://www.tumblr.com/freegazafromhamas/750657200835411968?source=share (long post)

https://www.tumblr.com/sole-e-acqua/757291490719432704/yeah-he-seems-perfectly-objectivedefinitely?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/iloveisrael/755906938598014976?source=share (Hamas killing Bedouins; Lebanon committing literal apartheid; 13 Christians killed every day) 

https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/34085 (the reality of women in Iran) https://www.tumblr.com/freegazafromhamas/752332620575178752/how-many-broiled-palestinian-children-do-you-need?source=share  (screenshots/quotes of Hamas senior leaders/others saying they need the blood of children as martyrs) https://www.tumblr.com/freegazafromhamas/751589551954345984/hey-with-all-due-respect-im-looking-through?source=share (long post with Palestinian tweets translated explaining Hamas' oppression of them, stolen aid, torture, etc.)

Comprehensive Listing of Terrorism Victims in Israel

i believe that the jewish people have a right to self determination in their ancestral homeland, also known as israel.

[luxlightly]

What's so powerful about the new WWDITS episode, especially watching it a second time, is the moment with Guillermo on the float, beginning to enjoy himself and eventually getting very into the festivities. Because Guillermo, and we as the audience, definitely are led to believe that Sean is just using this event as a cheap way to win a minority vote. Guillermo feels he and the others are being propped up as tokens by people who don't know or care about queer people and are embarrassingly obvious in their lack of understanding. This isn't a pride parade. It's a fake. A sham. For political gain. On the float, he feels like a spectacle. Like something meant to be gawked at or laughed at. Then, he looks around and realizes that this is real. It's messy and it's cringe inducing and it's haphazardly thrown together and it's real. It's completely earnest. Sean openly admits to frequently trying to kiss Lazlo, all the vampires are openly queer. The people here aren't trying to take advantage of his identity and his community. They ARE his community. When Sean says he the vampires are heroes to him and his wife for being "the gayest thing on the block", he means it. They are so unabashedly and proudly, loudly queer in a way Guillermo has never felt safe to be. And Sean thinks that's incredible and brave and heroic. And, he suddenly realizes that he's not a token gay in a fake parade, to be gawked at. He's the center of a float , meant to be showcased. To be put on a pedestal and admired. Surrounded by other queer people all cheering for him and dancing and singing and yelling "I am proud! I am proud!" Because they are proud. Of themselves, of their lives, their love and relationships, and of him. And he feels proud. Maybe for the first time ever. Not for what he can do. Or what he could one day be. But of what and who he is right in that moment. That's what pride is all about. What an absolutely beautiful episode. Which is a WILD statement considering it also included a sentient doll trying to lose her virginity and Nandor falling from space, ass naked, in front of a crowd of people.

[devildomwriter]

Last Things They Say to MC

Lucifer

“Mm… What’s wrong? Are you feeling nervous? Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Believe in yourself. And if you ever need a confidence boost, just say the word… I’ll do whatever you want, as many times as it takes. Just like I did now. I know how talented you are. It isn’t easy to earn my respect, but you managed to do it. Remember that.” or “…What’s wrong? Feeling nervous? If only we could stay like this, just like we are right now… …But the ceremony’s starting. Come on, let’s go.” — (80-22)

Mammon

“Yo, MC! Let’s try that again. But this time, land on MY lap!” or “Whoa… ALL RIGHT! Like, yeah…I did! I called for you!” — (80-22)

Leviathan

“What?! A bit too far?! You think I’m taking it A BIT TOO FAR?! The whole world can jump off a cliff! Everyone except me and the great Christopher Peugeot!” or “I’ll try not to, but I can’t make any promises!” or “I knew you’d understand! You’re a true friend, MC! You’re the only one I can share this moment with! The only one who knows what it means!” — (80-16 Hard)

Satan

“That was a really nice gift shop, they had all sorts of cat-themed stuff. We should go there again the next time we get a chance, MC.” — (80-19)

Asmodeus

“Oh MC! I’ve missed you sooo sooo SOOO much!” — (80-22)

Beelzebub

“I’m putting this in the box. It’s from the RAD Sports Festival. This is the slip of paper listing what I was supposed to find during the Bloody Scavenger Hunt. I was so hungry that I accidentally ate the original slip of paper, remember? It was just as you happened to be passing by… So you wrote my instructions down for me again on a new piece of paper. And on top of that, you have me some actual food to snack on.” — (80-19)

Belphegor

“Wait though, what are you doing here? I mean, I’m happy to see you, but…” — (80-22)

Solomon

“…Good, yes. Try to concentrate your magic energy in your forehead and fingertips… Nicely done! That was great! It’s been several weeks now since we left the Devildom, but your magic is still as strong as ever. All right, why don’t we go ahead and wrap up your training here for today? You’re about to head off right now, aren’t you? Tell everyone I said hi. Well, see you later, MC!” — (80-22)

Thirteen

“…Hmph, that’s no fun at all. Without you and that sham of a magician around to keep me on my toes, it’ll be so dull here.” — (80-17)

Simeon

“Anyway, I feel like maybe I’ve made a bit of progress on my personal journey now?” — (80-16 Hard)

Luke

“Right! Thanks, MC!” or “The truth is, I’d like to snap my fingers and become a truly great angel right now. But they say ‘slow and steady wins the race,’ after all! I’ll do my best! …But I’ll try not to be too impatient about it!” — (80-14)

Raphael

“…Have you forgotten that I’m standing right here? If you’re about to have a “moment”…don’t.” — (80-19)

Michael

“Goodbye. Until we meet again, MC…” — (44-18)

Little D. No. 2

“Here you are. Your assignment!” — (65-17)

Mephistopheles

“Anyway, changing the subject…MC, you’re here on a short-term exchange, aren’t you? Just like the second time you came here. It’s the same with Solomon. Your terms should be ending soon, right?” — (80-17)

Barbatos

“It’s a good thing Levi and Beel were there to break your fall, MC…” — (80-22)

Diavolo

“Now then, MC, is there anything you would like to say?” — (80-22)

[krowlovesinazuma]

Hi! 🪶 anon back at it again for my Kujou Sara BS~

Can I ask for Yandere!Kujou Sara and Raiden Shogun (Separate) (And yeah, the Shogun) HCs? When you said you did soft yandere, that's the type of yandere I like best anyway, so it works out! Thank you for reading!

-🪶

Read this prologue for context! Also sorry if I made the puppet too OOC, it's hard to write for her ;-;

Scenario: Soft Yandere

Characters: Kujou Sara, Raiden Shogun (Puppet)

Sara as a yandere would be complicated, but believable if you're a holy being. She already worships the shogun, so it would be no surprise if a mythical being of legends and tradition suddenly shows up in the flesh.

However, it would be complex thanks to her previous devotion to the shogun. Yes the two of you are allies and formed a pact of sorts, but would it still not count as a betrayal if she worshipped you as well as her archon? These thoughts trouble her often.

Of course, being a general, she knows better than to reside in inaction just because of confusion, and so she shows her loyalty while her heart remains unsure. Bringing you gifts, safety in travels, and simply being a reliable partner, she stays by your side.

The answer to her dilemma honestly depends on how you treat her, both before and after your reincarnation into the world, but no matter what her decision is, she'll remain your dutiful follower, and trusted cohort.

If you used her plenty in gameplay, and showed her attention above others in the world, she'll succumb to her own desires, but it'll be hard and awkward. Get ready for some stiff hugs, and a lot of blushing, she's trying her best.

Give her time though, and her showings of affection will get bolder and bolder. Offering you dates, gifts, and everything in between, she's ready to show how much she loves you, even if it might not be enough to truly show her devotion.

If you don't show her that much attention however, surprisingly, she's one of the few people that manages to suppress her intense desires, and instead inserts you into her life in a more subtle way, treating you highly, yet distantly.

It may lead to her being a little more workaholic and devoted to the shogun for a while, but she does eventually get over it, even if her desires are still within her. Her will is strong, and her mentality is even stronger!

"Please, do not apologize for gracing me with you presence, creator. Even if you're correct, with it taking away time from my duties, your comments about taking needed breaks are also important, and I see every moment speaking with you as an opportunity to relax. So please, don't be afraid to visit more."

This would definitely be an obsession that doesn't spark in an instant, but builds up over the years that she spends as a ruler. When she was created, Ei made sure to include you in her mentality, to make sure she didn't treat the myths and folklore of you as nothing.

That's why, knowing about your legends, yet only that and not much more was a slow burn of desire to meet you, and obey you directly, much like Ei silently prayed and hoped that you could perhaps bless her region.

Her priorities were still quite screwed when it came to governing over the lands, but much like she made sure to mantain festivities alive, she made sure that the belief in your legends and stories was still alive, even if may be against her complete rule.

When she felt the signs of your coming through the traveler and the other Inazuman folk that were growing stronger, and seemingly ignoring her complete rule, she knew it must have been a sign from you. In fact, she was probably knew about your presence before Ei.

That's why, when it normally should've been time for her end, she showed a strange sense of regret, as she came to realize just how against you she was in the end, and that was enough to convince the others to keep her alive, especially if you spare her through your screen.

I won't divulge into what her role would be now, but she'd have a strange sense of regret and shame lingering in her soul, even though she believed to have listened to her commands to perfection. Did she do something wrong to have both Ei and you against her?

Even if you show up in her world eventually, I could see her being troubled with her actions and your reception to them. Would you accept her? Would you even like her after what she's done? Did she deserve be grazed with your presence at all?

That's why she'll remain hidden from sight, away from the judging stare that you may use towards her. Ei is much more deserving of your attention, and she understands that. It may be up to you to face her yourself...

[punkrockhistory]

Released as single 42 years ago today

"If the Kids Are United" - by Sham 69

here live at Reading Festival in 1978

[lemoncrushh]

The Entertainer - Track 01 - You Have a Great Collection

Summary: Set in the 70s, Sky Jones, a young woman from L.A., meets Harry Styles, an up-and-coming musician and frontman for the band Wildfire. Told in first person from Sky’s point of view, she shares her journey and what it’s like to fall for a rockstar.

STORY PAGE

Track 01 Word Count: 2k+

1976

My best friend Halo once told me that people come into your life for a reason. They may not stay forever, but your life is forever changed because they touched it. I didn’t know if that was true, and I suspected she was quoting one of her many poetry books, but I thought it was a nice idea.

Halo and I had a tiny apartment in Los Angeles, not exactly the best part of town, but it was ours and we were proud. We’d been friends since we were kids, bonding more in our teens over our mutual love for music. One night we went to a club and saw a couple of bands. One of them particularly stood out to me, some up and coming band that had just gotten signed. I’d thought they were great, true musicians with tons of potential, the singer obviously already a well-established front man who resembled Mick Jagger. I’d been excited to meet them after the show, but it wasn’t meant to be. Halo had started to feel ill and we had to leave early. I’d since forgotten the name of the band, but I remembered the singer’s name. Harry Styles. How perfect is that for a name? Nobody could forget you if your name was Harry Styles. It almost sounds made up, yet no one in their right mind would choose that as a stage name.

Two weeks later, I sat cross-legged on my rug flipping through my record albums when Halo walked in, suggesting we have some friends over. By “friends” I knew that was her way of saying she’d met a guy, but so as not to leave me out, she would invite some other people over too. I shrugged and told her that was fine. Our get togethers usually ended up growing anyway, as long as someone was providing the liquor and someone else provided the pot.

I heard the doorbell ring, but I didn’t bother to get up since I knew Halo would answer the door. A few minutes later, I heard her call my name.

“Sky! Our guests are here!”

I stood up, stopping in the doorway. My eyes widened when I saw who stood in the middle of my living room. The band. That band. That Harry Styles guy and the rest of his band.

“Hey,” I nervously waved my hand until they all looked at me.

“Hi there, love!” said one of the guys. Drummer I think. Oh great, he’s British, I thought. I had a soft spot for British accents.

“Sky, this is Lee, Mitch, Harry and Deacon. Wildfire.” Oh yeah. “Everyone, this is Sky.”

“Hello, Sky!” they all said in unison. Harry, however, stepped forward and held out his hand.

“Hi, I’m Harry,” he greeted. Great, he’s British too. And really fucking attractive.

“Nice to meet you,” I said casually, shaking his hand.

“Sorry to crash your little soiree, but Mitch here said we could come with.”

“Oh, right on,” I replied, having no clue what he just said.

Mitch I learned later, the lead guitarist of the band, had somehow run into Halo at some music festival in the park where she’d recognized him from the club. Leave it to Halo.

The evening was filled with drinks, smokes and laughs. I liked all of the guys almost immediately, and eventually some of our other friends and neighbors joined us as well.

A little before midnight, I went to my room to fetch something, probably some more rolling papers, when I heard a knock behind me. Harry stood leaning against my doorway, an easy grin on his face. I’d decided I liked his face. It was kind, yet masculine with a nice combination of angles and curves. And I really liked his smile.

“Hey,” I said. “C’mon in.”

Harry sauntered in, one long bootleg after the other, stopping next to me at my dresser.

“This is your room?” he inquired.

“Yeah,” I nodded.

Harry looked around, seeming to inspect it all - the Led Zeppelin poster above my bed, the white comforter and lace pillow shams, the stuffed animals on the shelf, the tambourine on my nightstand, the beaded curtain that separated my closet, the collection of trinkets and frames on my bureau.

“Nice,” he nodded.

Then he noticed my guitar in the corner.

“You play?”

“A little.”

Harry grabbed it and sat on the bed.

“It might need tuning,” I said just as I noticed he was doing just that. When he seemed satisfied, he plucked some strings and went into a chord progression. It sounded familiar. But when he started singing low, I recognized it as one of his band’s songs that they performed at the club.

“Meet me in the hallway Meet me in the hallway I just left your bedroom Give me some morphine Is there any more to do”

I leaned against my dresser, fiddling absentmindedly with the locket around my neck, watching Harry give a private performance to me, even if he barely even knew I was in the room. When he finished, he laid the guitar on the bed and looked up at me. I smiled.

“I like that song.”

“Yeah? Thanks.”

“Did you write it?”

Harry nodded. “I wrote all our songs.”

“Far out.”

A dimple dipped in his cheek when he smiled at me, and I felt myself blush. Harry rose from the bed then and bent down in front of my stack of albums.

“May I?”

“Of course,” I gestured.

Harry sat down, crossing his long legs, and went through each and every one of my records. The Beatles. The Rolling Stones. Elvis Presley. The Who. Led Zeppelin. Queen. Joni Mitchell. Eagles. Elton John. Billy Joel. Gladys Knight & The Pips. Stevie Wonder. Jimi Hendrix. Bob Dylan. Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, The Temptations. Jim Croce, The Carpenters and Bread. Rod Stewart, Al Green, Kiss and The Doors. Simon & Garfunkel, Van Morrison, James Taylor, The Jackson 5. All of it. When he’d completed the stack, he looked up at me with child-like eyes.

“You have a great collection.”

“Thanks.”

Running a hand through his hair, he hesitated before asking his next question.

“Can I play something?”

“Please do.”

Pinching his bottom lip between his thumb and forefinger, Harry flipped through a few more albums before settling on one. Rising from the floor, he slid the vinyl out of the sleeve and gently set it on the turntable. Then with great precision, he let the needle fall.

I recognized the low sound, the slow build in the gloomy track. He’d chosen Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

“Good choice,” I remarked.

“You’re a big music fan.” It wasn’t a question, but an acknowledgement, a statement of fact.

“Very much.”

“Me too.”

I sat on the bed then as I watched Harry walk around the room. He picked up the frames on my dresser, inspecting each one before setting them back down. I wasn’t sure what it was about my bedroom, but Harry seemed to be very comfortable in it. Picking up the last photo, he held it out to me.

“Is that your dog?” he asked.

“No, that was Halo’s dog. A long time ago. I think I took that photo in junior high. His name was Comet,” I giggled.

Harry furrowed his brows and glared at me.

“I don’t get it.”

“You know…Haley’s comet. Halo’s real name is Haley.”

“Oh.”

I giggled harder, maybe due to nerves, or maybe due to the weed. I had to admit Harry looked really cute when he was confused, like he’d just realized he’d been left out of some inside joke.

“Why do they call her Halo, anyway?”

“That’s kind of my fault,” I replied. “It’s supposed to be a reference to T. Rex.”

“What?”

“You know. ‘Bang A Gong’. The ‘hubcap diamond star halo’ line.”

“Oh. Yeah, I know the song.”

I shrugged. “Halo’s a big Marc Bolan fan. So a few years ago I just kind of started calling her that and she liked it, so it stuck.”

Harry nodded, a smirk twitching at the corner of his mouth.

“I’m gonna take a wild stab at it that Sky is not your real name either.”

I shifted my gaze as I sucked in my lips. Harry chuckled, but asked no further questions. Instead, he made his way around my entire room, picking up things and setting them down while singing along to Elton John.

“Love lies bleeding in my hands…”

That was the first time Harry Styles was at my apartment. But it wasn’t the last.

Halo and Mitch had sort of become a thing…though what thing exactly I couldn’t tell you. Halo had always been a little more on the wild side than I was, although I liked to think I could hold my own. But…to put it nicely…Halo was kind of a groupie.

So because Mitch was at our place a lot, so was Harry. Lee and Deacon tagged along sometimes, and a few of those times they had a girl with them, but most of the time it was just Harry and Mitch. They seemed to be a package deal. Like Mick and Keith. I was okay with it. I liked them both, even if they did drink all our beer and smoke all our weed. They were good company.

One night after Halo and I went to watch the band’s rehearsal, they all joined us back at our place. We sat around the table playing cards until the chicks Lee and Deacon had brought, Sylvia and Jennifer I think, got bored and asked to be taken home. Shortly thereafter, Mitch and Halo snuck off to her room.

“Are you bored?” I asked from across the empty bottle-cluttered table.

“No. Are you?”

“No.”

“Good. Then I’ll stay.”

Harry rose from his chair and crossed the carpet to the living room where he turned on the television. I smiled, even if it was just to the back of his head.

“Midnight Special’s on,” he said.

“Cool.”

I joined him on the sofa where we watched Helen Reddy and Fleetwood Mac. During a commercial I got up to use the restroom and when I returned, I noticed Harry made it a point to scoot closer to me. He laid his head on my shoulder while Christine McVie sang “I’m over my head…but it sure feels nice,” and once again, I found myself smiling.

I thought he might be asleep when the show was ending, but Harry surprised me by nuzzling my neck. I felt no lips, but he was definitely trying to get my attention, like a little lapdog.

“Sky?” I heard him murmur.

“Yes?”

“Can I stay here tonight?”

“Um…” Did he…mean…with me? Or…?

“I’ll just crash on your couch,” he answered my nonverbal question. “I’m just beat, and I don’t feel like driving home.”

“Oh. Yeah. Sure. No problem. I’ll…get you a pillow and a blanket.”

“Thanks.”

I fetched the items from the linen closet while Harry went to the bathroom. While I was tucking the sheet into the cushions, he returned.

“Aw babe, you didn’t have to do all that.”

“Couch is kinda itchy,” I shrugged.

“You’re lovely. Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Harry sat on the makeshift bed and kicked off his shoes. When he laid down, I covered him with a blanket, laughing at his socked feet sticking out over the arm of the sofa. He smirked at me and wiggled his toes.

“You sure it’s okay?” I asked him.

“Of course. I’m eternally grateful.”

“Okay then. Goodnight.”

“Night.”

I turned towards my room, stopping to turn off the light.

“Harry?” I whispered in the darkness.

“Yeah?”

“You’re welcome to crash on my couch anytime.”

“Thank you, sweetheart,” he said with a yawn. “Goodnight.”

No telling how long I lied awake in bed that night. A couple times I could hear a few squeaks and moans coming from the other side of the wall, but that’s not what kept me awake. I wondered if Harry was sleeping. And if he wasn’t, what he might be thinking about. And if he was, what he might be dreaming about. And if either of those things included me.

This was a short little chapter, but it gets better lol. Hope you liked it.

Songs mentioned here:

Harry Styles - Meet Me In The Hallway (obviously)

T. Rex - Bang a Gong (Get It On)

Elton John - Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding

Fleetwood Mac - Over My Head

FEEDBACK IS LOVE xo

[crystal-overdrive]

Top Four Fic Recs

@fangbangerghoul tagged me in this ages ago and I've only just got a moment to sit down and think about it! All Gortash romance fics, of course.

Rules: Post links of your 5 (I did four because I'm tired and want to go to bed now) favorite fics (tumblr/ao3/whatever), doesn't have to be your top favorite, doesn't have to be within the same fandom. Just five fics you find yourself thinking about at random times of the day even long after reading them.

The Closed Fist of Bane and the Open Hand of the Fae by All_The_Ships_I_Sailed_Before | Rating: E | Words: 30,179 | Chapters: 6/? A year after the events of Baldur's Gate, only one of the heroes remains in the city. Roisin, a warlock of Oberon, traumatised and broken from the fight the previous year has entered into an alliance with the Chosen of Bane who holds onto his position with his god only by the skin of his teeth. The whole city needs rebuilding and two people with completely different views must work together to clean up the mess made. Unbeknownst to them, however, a greater evil stirs the shadows, forcing an unlikely alliance between gods with their champions as their lanceboard pieces. This fic is criminally under read! A wonderful clash-of-values-and-hearts Tavtash fic.

10,000 Deaths for Bhaal by @doxieandthedead | Rating: E | Words: 15,955 | Chapters: 7/? The papers talk of Archduke Enver Gortash, rebuilding the city in accordance to his glorious vision. For Tamasvi, a new life without the oppressive control of her divine father lies before her, her first opportunity to find out who she is without his bloody influence. But the city still has the scars of a past she does not remember, and obligations made in love and duress still keep her close to those she would rather avoid lest she fall back into the seductive web of lies and secrets that so impressed the Chosen of Bane over a decade ago. No slate can be truly wiped clean, and the nightmare of her heritage could never remain hidden for long. There are divine consequences after all, when one commits ten thousand deaths for Bhaal... A really wonderful exploration of the blue-and-orange morality of a Durge who has rejected Bhaal, but isn't necessarily a good person.

Til Death Do Us Part by @bearhugsandshrugs | Rating: E | Words: 47,454 | Chapters: 19/19 Tav enters an arranged marriage with Gortash in exchange for him to abandon the Absolute and give her the Steel Watch against their forces. In turn she supports the sham Archduke and lends him her hero credibility afterwards. But when their first night rolls around, she suddenly finds herself biting off more than she can chew. I'm sure anyone who likes Tavtash has probably already read this one, but it was one of the first fics I read for the fandom so really holds a place in my heart! It's super sexy, sweet, and so well written.

The Final Threshold by aladale | Rating: E | Words: 45,230 | Chapters: 19/? The wedding reception is as grand as could be expected when one is marrying an Archduke, though that is not what occupies Tav's thoughts as festivities go on. The rest of the still-living party (save Wyll who is taking his father's place as Grand Duke) will be following Karlach to Moonrise Towers. They would be leaving her alone with him, with this vile Enver Gortash she must now call her husband. (It is an absence he is more than ready to take advantage of, but perhaps she is not the only one who will be changed by all this.) I really liked this fic's take on Gortash as a father! Another values-clash Tavtash one.

[wowwowokay2]

I know hidden weight gain over winter (baggy clothes, fall/winter holidays and treats) is a popular prompt, but what about very visible summer weight gain to which the gainer is oblivious. Summer provides a bounty of crops, and there’s carnival food, ice cream, food festivals, that all take place during the summer.

Being hot and sweaty is attributed to it being summer.

Only when they try on their fall clothes do they realize they’ve gained this much weight. They already can’t be bothered to diet because they think it’s an industry sham, and all the fall and winter holidays are coming up, so their waist simply continues to expand…..

[summer-in-florence]

Laurent's Relationship with Akielos

by Summer in Florence

Originally a threadfic on twitter! Pair: Lamen / Laurent x Damen Tags: AU where Auguste lives and Laurent is just one happy prince consort of King Damianos

Laurent is never one without a running mind. He thinks like he's marathoning the globe—nonstop, neverending. His defining nature, of sorts, perhaps even force of habit. A schemer by word of mouth, scatterbrained by truth.

Akielos learns to understand that that is why their Exalted's dearest consort is in said particular shape. Many moons after his arrival on a ship, guarded by King Auguste's men, and received personally by Damianos, everyone gains a new perspective of Laurent.

That he was once just a 'pompous lover that doesn't deserve our Exalted', but after so long watching Laurent's movements, thoughts, conversations with their King, speeches and behaviours, the Akielons came to know intimately that he's merely someone rich in the mind.

Damianos is another kind, one that becomes prideful if his points are proven to be correct. He loathed the way early gossips talked about Laurent behind his back, spouting lies about how their betrothal were only political, and that Laurent seduced him for power.

For years he wanted to show people, his people, of the wonders that is his consort. Several balls, banquets, festivities—Damen allowed Laurent to be first in charge of it all, making a subtle, public statement of 'my lover is not as you think'. And nobles, they were easy to win. Citizens and those outside the palace walls are less so. 'Aristocracy tell-tales' they deemed it, worse, 'political sham'. Damen tries again for the Harvest festival this solstice; Laurent manages every detail of it all. And yet, he can't help but to be stressed about his lover.

"You're as tense as a stick in deep mud," Laurent says. The festival is right in motion, just at the peak of it all. They are watching from a platform, watching the evening light in festive joy. Damen purses his lips.

"Do they not want to acknowledge your hard work?"

"I did work hard for this." The Veretian admires his results; hundreds, even thousands of Akielons flooding the streets, chanting gratefulness of the crops they have planted and reaped for the season.

"Yes. And I have yet to hear a single person say your name."

Laurent laughs, openly and heartily. If it were any other day, Damen surely would have been too occupied listening to the sound of his consort's joyful self than wallow like this. He only spares Laurent a concerned glance, slouching so much that his cape makes a show of weighing the large man down.

Through his glee, Laurent snorts. "Oh, Damianos, lover," he cackles, "your desire to be right is overwhelming you!"

And maybe it is the positioning, maybe it's because they linger upon the raised floors where the dais were placed, because several of the onlookers sitting on the cavea begins to turn their heads around, wanting to know the insolence that has insulted their King on his merry way.

"Laurent, I spent years trying to change their mind about you. Yet I still can't squash the rumours that you are only here for my power, that you do not have value in my court more than a... a glorified pet!" Damen bursts, uncaring of the ogling men below them. Let winds blast his voice all over the country, he won't care. "Are you not bothered, Laurent? Do you not care about me?"

Fragipani and incense-smoke blow against their sandals. Laurent's chiton flowy as the breeze find the fold of his hemline. For a moment, even if the music soars from beneath them, they are quiet.

Laurent captures Damen's hands. "I am more bothered by your fear of free-thinking, because genuinely, as your lover of your estate, you have been listening to too much scullions gossip as they dilly-dally in the utilities," Laurent scoffs. "I have heard worse things, Damianos. Your people just know me from my façade, as everyone does."

Damen nearly stumbles when Laurent digs his hands around his wrists, pulling the brute to a little dance that resembles the Veretian kind; the one Laurent knows all his life.

He glows incandescently, a fresh expression unknown outside chamber doors. Laurent laughs like a youth, truly one of his age, being so young married off to a gentle, foreign King.

Damen begins to follow along. "Laurent!" He shouts, a smile blossoming in his cheeks.

"My façade, Damen! You're stressing over a façade!" He squeals when Damen spins him around, nimble to the tune.

It's silly. It is. Bringing their honest selves into view, fished out by Damen's curious frustration for the span of two years. It's unbecoming for Kings to let his inhibitions down, freely dancing with a consort during an event where he's supposed to observe, but Laurent's whirlwind seems to evaporate his stresses down—and if anything, just goes to show the grandeur of Laurent's managerial skills. It's not easy to make up space for them to wind down on an event this large.

Until, the crowd of Akielons below them, sing Laurent's name.

"Laurent, Laurent, Laurent!" They praise. Voices soar to the dais, stopping two men amidst their jolly dance together. Damen nudges his lover.

"Go, let them see you," he says, trying to hold himself from the pride that swells in his chest.

When Laurent kneels over the edge, waving a shy hello for Damen's people, the whole country cheers. Their shouts akin to a lion's roar, clapping and singing. Flowers are thrown, bouquets passed between people in the cavea for Laurent to hold. Damen achieves his job well-done.

Akielons knew Laurent then as just a cunning schemer, disbelieving of Damen's intentions to choose him as consort as they thought he had seduced the Exalted for power. That Laurent is null in real value, that his talents were a sham.

And today, they know Laurent as something else entirely. One with a mind so brilliant, it is mind-boggling to imagine him managing to pulling all the strings—even if such is the reality. One that puts up faces of professionalism, only to falter in the arms of Damen, his lover.

Turns out, it wasn't difficult to change a nation's mind. All Damen needed was Laurent's smile, and the sincerities that bubble in between them.

END!

[ghostgirlkatya]

What is your favorite episode in seasons 1 and 2 of TGAMM?

Yes! Finally, here are my favorite TGAMM episodes.

Season 1:

The Curse, The (Un)natural, Mazel Tov, Libby!, Scratch the Surface/Friend-Off, Festival of Lights/Saving Christmas, Innocent Until Proven Ghostly/Twin Trouble, Home is Where the Haunt is, Scaring is Caring/All Night Plight, Molly vs the Ghost World.

Season 2:

The New Para-Normal, Faint of Art/A Soda to Remember, I Wanna Dance with Some-Ollie, Frightmares on Main Street, All Shark No Bite, Like Father Like Libby, Jinx!, The Ghost is Molly McGee/All in The Mind, Welcome to NecroComic-Con/Fit to Print, The Grand Gesture, Alaka-Sham!, F.O.N.A.A.!, White Christmas/Perfect Day, Jinx vs The Human World, The End.

That's all. I love my favorite TGAMM episodes very much lol.

[howlingday]

Setting - After some time muckery, Jaune and Cinder are sent back in time to just after The Brothers left. Due to their superior physical abilities, the locals are in such awe that they worship them as new gods. Praise the new sun and moon gods!

Jaune: Oh! A-Another gift of white? Um, thank you.

Girl: (Blushes)

Cinder: Okay, that's enough gift giving. Your gods must prepare for the festival. Go on, scram! Shoo!

Girl: (Runs away, In tears)

Mother: Shshsh! No tears, child. It is as the Sun God wills.

Cinder: Really, you humor these mortals too much, Arc.

Jaune: Please stop calling them mortals. They're people.

Cinder: Yes. Our people. People that we rule.

Jaune: That we protect!

Cinder: (Rolls her eyes, Undressing) Whatever. Now go get dressed for the festival. It will begin soon, and the people await their moon god to arrive in his full moon glory.

Jaune: (Dressing) It still doesn't feel right.

I hardly think I'm qualified

To come across all sanctified.

I just don't cut it with the maiden's terms

Cinder: Arc, what are you talking about?!

There again, they're on their knees

Being worshipped is a breeze

And this rather suits me in this universe...

Jaune:

This universe? This universe?

It's me and her?!

OH MY GOD!

Jaune + Cinder: (Strutting out to the festival)

It's tough to be a god,

Tread where mortals have not trod!

Cinder: (Spouts flame)

Be deified!

Jaune: (Healing an injury)

When really, you're a sham...

Be an object of devotion,

Be the subject of psalms...

Cinder: (Comes over with wine)

It's a rather touching notion

All those prayers and those salaams!

Jaune: (Bowed to by grateful family members)

And who am I to bridle

If I'm forced to be an idol?

If they say that I'm a god,

That's what I am!

Cinder: (Grabs Jaune, Points to sacrificial altar being used to smash fruits)

What's more, if we don't comply

With the local's wishes, I

Can see us being sacrificed or

Crushed!

Jaune: Okay, that's a good point.

Cinder:

So let's be gods!

The perks are great!

Jaune:

All of Remnant on a plate!

Cinder:

The local's feelings should not be

Rebuffed!

Jaune: Right, never rebuff. Never rebuff the local feeling-

Cinder: (Grabs Jaune, Raises goblet of wine) No, my friend~!

Jaune + Cinder:

It's tough to be a god,

But if you get the people's nod,

Count your blessings,

Keep them sweet!

That's our advice!

Jaune: It's great advice!

Be a symbol of perfection!

Cinder:

Be a legend!

Be a cult!

Jaune + Cinder:

Take their praise

Take a collection

As the multitudes exalt!

Cinder: (Puts on Rage mask, Raises goblet)

Don the supernatural habit!

Jaune: (Dons Sorrow mask, Toasts goblet)

We'd be crazy not to grab it!

Cinder: Exactly!

Jaune + Cinder: (Clink and drink)

SO SIGN UP TWO NEW GODS TO PARADISE~

PARADIIIIIIIISE~!

[riversimmone]

Line in the Sand - Chapter 2

RiverOfTheSand

Summary:

AU GaaSaku. Because war is coming. Because a king needs a queen. And because no-one warned him his most dangerous opponent would be the one warming his bed..

XXX

Read from the beginning. This is a work in progress story you can find on tumblr and AO3 and on FF.NET.

[All tumblr posts will be tagged ‘Line in the Sand’ with their corresponding chapter for quick and easy access.]

Enjoy. :)

Chapter Two: Fate's Hands.

-o-

The bright lights and colours of the fireworks blanketed the night sky. Gasps and shouts from the onlooking crowd followed the newest eruption of screaming and whistling in its wake. The spectacle was enchanting and awe inspiring to everyone who saw it.

All except one.

The name Sabaku no Gaara was synonymous with words like buzzkill, sourpuss, killjoy, and his personal favourite: stick-in-the-mud. He'd never been one for any kind of festivity. He would never admit it out loud, but he hated these mandatory traditions (because the people loved it). All these spectacles, all the bright colours and loud noises; they just gave him a headache – his siblings had always seen through his façade, however.

But the rigors of their three-year war were still showing, and the people needed some semblance of normality – a return to happier times. Even if it was a sham; a silent lie that hid the promise of bloodshed on the onset of the morn. For a night, they could forget their troubles and pretend like many of them weren't going to die in the coming weeks.

Gaara would never think of trying to deny them that.

He could put up with this for one night… right?

He nodded in acknowledgement as another partygoer approached him, bowed at the waist, and moved on.

Yes, he could put up with this, for now.

This was tradition, after all, and as the future king, he had to respect it.

Temari had waved away the offer for joint leadership (what had changed her mind, Gaara didn't know – he'd have to ask her later), surprising everyone. It didn't sit well with him.

Gaara looked up, again, as a particularly large stream of mixed sulphur, charcoal, and saltpetre exploded into the sky. It created an image this time; elemental kanji. One that represented the god of fire.

All the gods of the land of wind were elemental in power. And every season, as well as turning of the year, was celebrated with a different elemental god in mind.

They were about to leave summer – hence the fireworks and imminent fire dancing – and this celebration was to honour the gods for the last time this season. Not to mention that Obon was upon them, and he was dreading the offerings to the spirits of the ancestors.

Gaara sat in silence, and occasionally nodding as a citizen would approach him to offer their respects, but mostly just tried to look like he wasn't bored out of his mind.

Until his sister finally decided to grace him with her presence.

"Fire dancing is next," Temari said, breathing heavily as she sidled up next to her brother.

Had she just run through the entire length of the palace to get here, or what?

She had a strange, warm glow about her; Gaara's eyes darted to Shikamaru as the man dutifully followed behind her, but remained silent (his sister's General during the war was quite the tactician). They'd married on the eve of the civil war.

Gaara frowned.

He hated happily married couples.

They made him feel lonely and bitter, despite his preference to avoid that particular entanglement. He'd worked his entire life to convince people that he didn't need anyone, even when the freedom he gained from avoiding spousal dependency made him feel better, it was still a farce; the post coital glow of his sister just served as a reminder that he had no-one.

And frankly, the mental images were disgusting.

Gaara didn't answer her.

"I hear there's a new dancing troupe in our fair city."

"Advisor Yura." Temari greeted the older man warmly as he approached them.

"It might be worth a look," he added. "They could be added to the celebrations – it'll definitely help morale."

Gaara sighed, already knowing what the advisor was talking about.

Just what I need, he thought sarcastically. Flashes of half-naked people dancing in front of me.

And with his luck, every single one of these inevitably female dancers would be the highlight of the show. Just because he liked the idea of nicely shaped, feminine curves swaying to-and-fro, didn't mean he wanted to be exposed to it. He hated temptations.

"Yes." His sister looked intrigued. "I heard they're looking for permanent residence. Has the council gone over their petition, yet?"

"No. But their first petition was a request to speak directly with the late king."

Temari closed her eyes momentarily at the reference to Kankuro.

"A matter easily handled to Lord Gaara," Shikamaru said, breaking his silence, and stepping up next to Temari, protectively. "The advisors are more than capable of assisting the transfer of responsibility."

The previously bored expression he'd been wearing now reflected his distaste of Yura.

The advisor nodded in affirmation. "The troupe–" He started.

"They're a nomadic tribe," Gaara interrupted, correcting him. He'd read the reports.

"The outlander territories have become exceedingly dangerous in the past few years," Yura said diplomatically. Something must have caught his attention, because he bowed to his majesties quickly before taking his leave.

Temari smirked at Gaara as another firework exploded in the sky above them.

He raised an eyebrow at her questioningly.

"I've read the reports too," she said. "Some of the young women in the tribe are of marrying age, so they may do their vows in the city shrines. It'll affect the agreement of any tenancy we allow them." Temari grinned mischievously. "You could take this opportunity to find someone exotic to marry, little brother."

Gaara flushed with embarrassment, remembering a talk with Kankuro a few weeks ago; affably, his brother had teased him over his "taste" in lesson traditional female "flavours".

Taste test them, little brother, Kankuro had said. See if the creamy centre matches the chocolaty outside.

It was a real thing too, with nobles these days. Many of the court had begun negotiations to wed women (or men) from more ethnic tribes and areas in the land of wind.

Not that he'd considered it for himself…

Gaara had more important things to worry about.

If he found a wife, he found a wife; Gaara didn't want to spend too much time worrying (or blushing) over it. He decided to let the gods decide that fate for him. Yes… he could pretend that was out of his hands, too.

The law was against him on that, but he didn't want to force himself.

Gaara pushed all thoughts of courting, fiancés, and marriages aside for now. The only thing that mattered was getting through this night so that, come morning, he could set his mind to the task of avenging his brother.

-o-

The night was still young, and Sakura Haruno had a plan. She was going to dance her arse off.

She would do everything she could to attract the attention of the future king, as her father wanted, of course. But that was up to the gods, not her. And fate.

Superstition was common in her people, and it was fate that they'd arrived in Suna on this auspicious day. And the Obon festivities were in full swing.

The once power hungry clan of Kiraaku – who now went by the name Ryokōsha – were the precursors of the fire dancing that has now been around for centuries. It was their specialty before, during, and after their notoriously manipulative ways in the noble court. Every child in the Ryokōsha learnt to dance, though most did not train with fire anymore – a tradition that sadly became less important, even though they were often mistaken for a travelling, performance troupe.

The discipline and skill involved were still taught, but a student needed permission from their Master Teacher to advance to working with fire. And Sakura had surpassed her master long ago.

So she decided to take advantage of tonight's Obon celebrations. That was where Lady Chiyo came in.

Since her mother's death, Sakura had been tutored under Lady Chiyo; she was Sakura's kahu (caretaker), a respected title in their tribe, though not her only one. She had some rough edges, but Chiyo was otherwise the kindest person Sakura had ever met. The woman was warm, psychologically-minded, with an uncanny radar for mischief, and a no-nonsense attitude for troublemakers.

Her rank in their tribe was of Head Healer. And she was the best they'd ever produced – second only to the world renown Lady Tsunade (but anyone who valued their heads never uttered that woman's name around Lady Chiyo).

Right now, Chiyo was tutting over Sakura's wardrobe choice.

"It's unbecoming," she'd said.

"It's not like I'm naked."

Chiyo insisted on doing her hair at least.

Sakura reached up and fingered the headdress the older woman had insisted she wear (it bore the tribal symbol). Chiyo slapped her hand away.

"Do the girls in the palace all wear their hair like this?" She wondered out loud.

The worried, aging lines of her kahu worried Sakura. She was protective of the pinkette but also found her new plan to get a seat in the royal court a noble one. She was eager to see Sakura married off and happy.

Sakura had to keep reminding herself that Chiyo had not been born among the Ryokōsha, only migrating to their tribe years ago, when she'd lost her son to war – war instigated by the ruling family (two kings ago). She shared the Ryokōsha natural tendency toward ambition.

"Take this duty seriously, Sakura," Chiyo chided, not looking at her as she tugged on her hair to pull it back and out of her face. "Any girl in the clan would kill to take your place."

Sakura snorted. "Like they understand this is about me auctioning myself off."

Chiyo made a tutting sound but didn't otherwise respond.

The younger ones had been so excited since Yuri told them they would soon be meeting royalty. That ridiculous girl had them all worked up over it. She even had them all thinking they were going to some dancing ball and the prettiest girls would be married off to the cutest princes.

That girl.

Sometimes Sakura had a hard time believing that she was related to Yuri. Her cousin was also the only person other than Kizashi and Sakura that carried the name Haruno, which gave her the right to lead the Ryokōsha if circumstances allowed it. And now they did.

But the silly girl was far more interested in spreading rumours about Sakura's impending nuptials and their clan's "rise to power" then catching up on her lessons. She needed to prepare, since their patriarch didn't have much time left.

A familiar pang hit Sakura and she winced, remembering that her father was currently asleep next door, in pain, even in slumber. He kept up a brave face when awake, but the moment he slipped into unconsciousness all his worries manifested on his old, tired, and worn face.

Sakura closed her eyes to distract herself for a moment. But her thoughts returned to the current state of affairs.

Why didn't Kizashi ask Yuri to seduce some noble?

Sakura huffed, fidgeting again, and earning herself a stern look from Chiyo.

Tradition dictated they find an intended among their own from a young age; thank-fully, incest was abhorred and the bloodlines weren't ever mingled with their own, even if they had to seek out other tribes to (prevent) it. The point being, that Yuri had an intended; at least her intended was still intended. The young man Sakura's father had promised her to had died in an ambush on their caravan over a month ago.

Sakura had mixed feelings about that – that boy had been interesting enough when she had an itch to scratch, but she couldn't imagine being particularly happy married to someone who still thought she wouldn't get pregnant if they did it standing up.

Dunce.

But at least he hadn't been her first. She'd had her fair share of childhood crushes too. Sakura had liked an older boy for a long time when she was a child – he'd be almost thirty now, but he too, was gone.

As good as, anyway.

She glanced at Chiyo in the mirror as the older woman started humming. That was a sore topic she avoided.

As for Yuri… Sakura could only hope that Yuri settled down when she finally settled down and bore children. It would do good to teach her responsibilities. Her intended was a good guy, so there was hope there.

"This is all happening so fast," Sakura thought out loud, before she could stop herself. She didn't mind this, but now that she was getting closer to having to do it, she worried nobody would like her.

"There will be no time to worry over how little time is left to you before the fire dance tonight."

"I know."

"If you are to attract him, you must act swiftly."

"I'm aware."

"Are you also aware of what time it is?"

Sakura looked up at the reflected image of her kahu and frowned. "What?"

"Obon."

"Yes, I know. It's a season of renewal, of visits from our ancestors, when offerings are made to the spirits."

"And the king recently died."

Sakura nodded. "I know."

Where was she going with this?

"The new king will have to be crowned soon, or it will be disrespectful to the spirits, and the law says he must marry within thirty days of taking the crown. But there is a rite of passage the future king and his future wife must go through first and it is lengthy."

"Okay…" Sakura was still confused.

Chiyo made a clucking sound, now staring at Sakura in the vanity mirror in front of them. "He will most likely have been pressured by his council to marry in the past, but has not taken any vows. Which means he will be desperate now, and a desperate man is easily wooed by a beautiful woman."

Sakura smiled, understanding now. "You really think I can do it?"

"You have wooed every man in this caravan," Chiyo said honestly, chuckling when the pinkette's eyes widened in shock. "But they would not dare approach you without your father's permission. The future king however, outranks Kizashi."

Sakura had nothing to say to that. She sat patiently as Chiyo finished and stood as instructed, when the older woman was done.

She looked at herself in the full length mirror and quite suddenly, could see what her kahu had been talking about. In front of her stood an exotic woman – more than that, the woman she had become was shapely but not out of proportion, petite but not flat; her eyes glittered like polished emeralds, her skin seemed to absorb the light of the torches in her room. Her skin was still light, since she covered it during the day (tradition for the Ryokōsha) so it wasn't exposed to the sun, but there was a soft, natural olive tint that showed when she wore more open clothes.

It had to be the fire light. All Ryokōsha looked more exotic in fire light. It was in their genetics.

Her long hair was pulled back and slightly curled, but still retain some semblance of its natural straightness; she couldn't believe how much better it looked this way.

She suddenly felt like a princess.

A queen, she corrected herself.

"Thank-you, kahu," she whispered.

Lady Chiyo just smiled, and nudged her toward the door.

It was time.

Sakura inhaled deeply, feeling more confident now. There were fireworks in the sky, a clear path leading to the open gardens where the main festivities were currently being held, and the future king was unknowingly waiting for her.

Spirits, fate, and gods be willing.

I can do this.

-o-

[this-is-z-art-blog]

Hello, I’d like to join Eight Ecto Nights, however I’ve never celebrated Hanukah and I suppose I wanted to ask someone who actually has. I’ll do my own reserch of course, but you seemed like a good place to start.

Is there any particular traditions or little things your family does that you might not see on a wikipedia? Is the mood usually as jolly as Christmas or is it more sedated?

beyond that, is there anything you’d particularly like to see in this event?

I hope that makes sence 😆 thank you for answering my questions

Howdy! First of all, welcome aboard eight ecto nights :D

Second, absolutely feel free to ask me questions. I love talking about this stuff, and I know doing independent research can be overwhelming when you don't know what questions you're trying to ask. If you're looking for research help, chabad.org has a lot of the traditional details and laws (here's their hanukkah page), and myjewishlearning.com has a more modern/egalitarian bend (here's their hanukkah intro)- that said, I'm totally open to asks or dms, hit me up!

Now to actually answer your questions. Disclaimer, a lot of this is just my own experience, not universal or the only 'right' way to do it.

In my family we light the menorahs from oldest to youngest. We all have a favorite menorah we tend to light year after year, but we also collect them, and often have a small party on one of the later nights where we invite friends and family to come light with us, so it's handy to have extras on hand. We use the regular boxes of hanukkah candles you can get at any grocery store for most nights, but on the very last my dad gets these beautiful taller candles with gradients of color to use.

When the kids in our family were younger, we'd often sit on the floor in front of the candles after lighting to play dreidel (a kind of spun top with Hebrew letters standing for the phrase nes gadol haya sham, 'a great miracle happened there', around the sides; which side lands facing up determines the outcome of your turn), and my mom still gives out bags of gelt (chocolate coins, typically in bright foil, that you win and lose in a game of dreidel) most nights.

Some other odds and ends we do include covering the hanukkhia-lighting table in aluminum foil (fire safety) and giving out different jobs (like setting up the candles for everyone before we start).

I wouldn't describe it as "jolly", but I'm probably not the right person to ask to compare something to Christmas. It's a fun holiday for sure, and one of my favorites; you have the lights, the festive foods, the gifts and surprises, the time together. It's not just about that though; it's about survival, and standing up to oppression and religious persecution, so there are more serious elements to telling and thinking about the story. That said, it's a pretty minor holiday.

In terms of things I'd love to see, first and foremost I just want to see what people make! The point of open-ended prompts is interpretation, after all. Whether you draw the characters singing hanukkah songs, write about them making their own menorahs, sculpt a ghost-themed dreidel, or something entirely different, I'm excited to see it!

Also, I hope people have a good grasp of what a menorah looks like. A hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, has nine total candle or oil holders (either is good, but candles are more common than oil lights). The eight main ones are placed from right to left, and lit from left to right (ie, newest first) by the ninth, the shamash or helper light. The shape of the menorah can get creative, as long as the eight holiday lights are in a straight, level line and the shamash is set apart (usually taller).

As a last thought, it would be nice to see an effort at IDs for image-based posts for the event; it's not hanukkah specific, but I've been seeing them more and more in the phandom, and it's lovely to see folks learning and trying to make the community increasingly accessible!

Let me know if you have more questions, on or off anon, via ask or dm, I am here to help!